Louisville Slammer: DeVante Parker Is He The Next Big Thing?

DeVante Parker is one of the top three wideouts in the upcoming NFL draft on April 30th. As it currently stands on more than 90% of the big boards you have come across, it would no doubt have gone Amari Cooper, Kevin White and then DeVante Parker.

Parker has the measurables all coaches look for, he is 6"3 and 209lbs. He is a physical, posession type of receiver who runs a clean route. He is not going to get hemmed up inside the 5-yard zone by a physical corner and he projects to have that slipstream first step to break away from coverage.

Parker missed the first seven games of his senior season with a foot injury, then caught 43 passes for 855 yards and five touchdowns, whilst those numbers are impressive, the injury could warn of potential drafters.

Parker showed flare and playmaking ability on his way to tying the school record for career touchdown receptions with 33 and Parker also had 10, 100-yard games in his career.

The Louisville product has certainly been turning heads, former scout Daniel Jeremiah went on record saying; "He's a long, physical guy, who is going to cause a lot of issues in the red zone." That is a promising report, any receiver who can cause a mismatch for a capable enough quarterback, is going to make an impact on day one.

Whilst Amari Cooper and Kevin White are consider in the upper echelon of this draft class, don't expect to be surprised if he goes ahead of Cooper. Cooper does run a beautiful route, but he has blocking and catching issues which may red flag for some organizations.

Parkers' soeed won't be an issue, a 4.45 second forty time is good enough, it doesnt make him a Heyward-Bey type of receiver, but his physicality and style of play will certainly be enough to overcome and seperation issues.

Parker has a mixture of size, speed and strength rarely seen in a college prospect, he can throw down a block and he can also get the ball in traffic, something that could see him leap frog Cooper if Kevin White is taoen as the number one receiver.

Parker will certainly hear his name called on day one, but which team will it be? Cleveland are in dire need for a receiving threat and they happen to have two first round selections.